(3) Iowa State Cyclones

David K Purdy, Getty Images

Record: 26-7 How they got here: Won Big 12 Conference Tournament Strengths: The Cyclones entered the final week of the regular season leading the nation in assists per game (18.5) and ranked sixth in scoring (82.9 ppg.) Senior forward Melvin Ejim, the first Iowa State player to earn Big 12 player of the year honors since 2001, averages 18.1 ppg and 8.5 rpg. The Cyclones got a big boost from senior Marshall transfer DeAndre Kane, a dynamic guard who chipped in 17.0 ppg and 5.8 apg. Iowa State went 8-2 against teams ranked in the top 25, including a win over a potent Kansas team in the league tournament. The school is making its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and aiming for its first Sweet 16 since 2000. Weaknesses: Iowa State counts on its strong offense to help set the tempo during games and falters when it runs up against teams that cut off elements of its strong inside-outside game. The Cyclones have only been limited to fewer than 70 points once this season and dropped that contest.

Record: 26-7 How they got here: Won Big 12 Conference Tournament Strengths: The Cyclones entered the final week of the regular season leading the nation in assists per game (18.5) and ranked sixth in scoring (82.9 ppg.) Senior forward Melvin Ejim, the first Iowa State player to earn Big 12 player of the year honors since 2001, averages 18.1 ppg and 8.5 rpg. The Cyclones got a big boost from senior Marshall transfer DeAndre Kane, a dynamic guard who chipped in 17.0 ppg and 5.8 apg. Iowa State went 8-2 against teams ranked in the top 25, including a win over a potent Kansas team in the league tournament. The school is making its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and aiming for its first Sweet 16 since 2000. Weaknesses: Iowa State counts on its strong offense to help set the tempo during games and falters when it runs up against teams that cut off elements of its strong inside-outside game. The Cyclones have only been limited to fewer than 70 points once this season and dropped that contest. (David K Purdy, Getty Images)

Record: 26-7 How they got here: Won Big 12 Conference Tournament Strengths: The Cyclones entered the final week of the regular season leading the nation in assists per game (18.5) and ranked sixth in scoring (82.9 ppg.) Senior forward Melvin Ejim, the first Iowa State player to earn Big 12 player of the year honors since 2001, averages 18.1 ppg and 8.5 rpg. The Cyclones got a big boost from senior Marshall transfer DeAndre Kane, a dynamic guard who chipped in 17.0 ppg and 5.8 apg. Iowa State went 8-2 against teams ranked in the top 25, including a win over a potent Kansas team in the league tournament. The school is making its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and aiming for its first Sweet 16 since 2000. Weaknesses: Iowa State counts on its strong offense to help set the tempo during games and falters when it runs up against teams that cut off elements of its strong inside-outside game. The Cyclones have only been limited to fewer than 70 points once this season and dropped that contest.